A bakery or butcher shop, like ones you find in the city.

That is a great idea, Michelle. It would be awesome to have a Main Street bakery right there.

Metrowest Animal Awareness Society, the Marlborough/Hudson cat rescue, could use the space for special community events while waiting for a paying customer!

I agree with Michelle that a Bakery would be great.

Baked cats sound delicious.

Only you, Joe -

The bakery could sell Bear Claws, Lenguas de Gato (cat's tongue pastries), Elephant Ears -

I remember when the DD on main street was a bakery. I loved the smell of fresh baked items. But back to the question. With so many superstores that carry just about everything it is very hard for a local downtown business to stay profitable. My pick would be a book/gift store. The paperstore that was in Marlborough closed, but that might have been more of a location problem. There are few places left for books.
Hey! I got it, A bakery/book store/coffee shop/beauty shop all in one. You could catch up on current events while putting on pounds from eating sweets and look great while doing it.

An independently owned bookstore or toy store would be great!

How about an old fashion 5&Ten?

book/gift store would be great!

I love the idea of a book store café, Barnes & Noble? Why doesn't someone—the owner who wants to rent the space, maybe—go in and wash the worn winter scene off of the windows so that it doesn't look so abandoned?

Trader Joe's!!!

I was thinking Trader Joe's too!

I would so love to have a Trader Joe's near! Some baked goods, great natural foods, even cat food! (Joe, that isn't food made out of cat...)

Hmm... how about northeast regional offices for Patch.com?

Haha. That's an idea, Paul. The Boston folks might not love that though...

Shut down all Brazilian businesses and open upscale AMERICAN shops, eateries and boutiques. Then the area will be booming and revived AND OBVIOUSLY CLEANED UP!

My dream bakeshop!!!!!

I agree with Ad. However, it may be too late. Marlboro has turned into Marlbo 'Rio.'The city has changed for the worst over the past ten years.

Isn't it interesting. People thought this when the Irish arrived, and they thought that when the Italians arrived and they thought that when Jewish folks showed up. I don't know if there has been any group that hasn't faced this. Even the american indians are were treated badly and it was their country. But you know what? The country survived and became better for it.
Narrow views like these can be found in museums.

I agree, Chuck. One of my favorite restaurants in the city is run by our Brazilian neighbors. A great business that is good for Marlborough, offering some of the most consistently delicious meals in the area.

Chapa Quente has delicious food. I like the bakery/cafe/bookstore. I went to one in Maine that sold used books, and it had a lot of obscure titles that you can't find @ b&n.

What's the deal with Zapato at the end of Essex street? It's billed as "authentic mexican", and seems like they did a ton of work on the property (after it sat unused for a few years).. but it seems like they haven't actually opened despite being done.

I took a walk by there this weekend and was told they will be opening this Wednesday, 11/16. It looks like they have put a lot of time and effort into turning it around. Can't wait to try the food.

Maybe a new site for the Chamber of Commerce to give them more of a presence like they have in other cities/towns. It could be a visitor center for the time when Marlborough is visited to see the murals on the downtown buildings.

Nancy Hough

I would love to see a card, gift, book, coffeeshop combo. This would be a lovely addition to Main St.